Conflict in South Sudan

Back with a vengeance

The young country is descending into war, again

THE second chapter of South Sudan's civil war began with characteristic brutality on February 18th. The White Army, an ethnic Nuer militia, announced its return to Malakal, the capital of oil-producing Upper Nile state, with the wholesale slaughter of civilians. Shocked aid workers reported marauding gunmen raping and murdering the patients at the town’s only functioning hospital.

The partial recapture of Malakal confirmed what many observers had feared: the January 23rd ceasefire was used to regroup and rearm. The forces are scrambling for territory before the rainy season in April closes nearly two-thirds of the country’s roads and tracks to vehicles. Although 10,000 people have died and three-quarters of a million more have been displaced since fighting began on December 15th, no meaningful solution has been mooted.

The political power struggle between Salva Kiir, South Sudan's president, and Riek Machar, his sacked former vice-president, has degenerated into fighting that often pits their respective communities, the Dinka and Nuer, against each other. The men appear to be contemplating a long war. A report released by the UN on February 21st accused both sides of perpetrating atrocities against civilians. Government forces are accused of ethnically targeted mass killings in the capital, Juba, as well as razing Mr Machar’s home town of Leer. Meanwhile, mass graves and streets littered with bodies have been discovered in the strategic town of Bor, which has changed hands four times in the conflict.

Much-heralded negotiations in neighbouring Ethiopia have so far brought only a hollow ceasefire that has been flouted continually. The talks have been an exercise in distracting the outside world while the battle rages, says a diplomat. Observers from IGAD, a club of East African nations, who were meant to oversee the ceasefire, have been ineffective. Mediation efforts are hamstrung by the presence of Ugandan troops fighting on the side of Mr Kiir’s forces. Mr Machar has demanded their withdrawal. The American government has rebuked Uganda and warned of the potential for regional conflict. Sudan, the rump country that remained after the 2011 north-south break-up, has so far stood on the sidelines. But with oil production, on which both countries rely, down by almost a half since December, it may choose to intervene.

UNMISS, the UN mission in South Sudan, has been reinforced but is struggling to protect more than 75,000 civilians who are sheltering in its bases. Fighting recently broke out between different ethnic groups in the Malakal camp. At another, in Rumbek, UN trucks have been used to ring the fence and prevent locals throwing rocks at those sheltering inside. And there are desperate scenes of suffering in Unity State. Thousands of civilians have fled into remote swampland where humanitarian workers say they are surviving on water-lily roots.